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Effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on myofascial pain and trigger point sensitivity
Steven B Graff-Radford1, John L Reeves, Robert L Baker
1Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Management Center, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90024 U.S.A. UCLA Dental Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90024 U.S.A.
Abstract:
The effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on myofascial pain and trigger point sensitivity were assessed. Four modes of TENS and a no-stimulation control were compared in a double-blind design. Stimulation, carried out for 10 min on 60 subjects (12/group), showed significant pain reductions with 100 Hz, 250 msec stimulation followed by 100 Hz, 50 msec and then pain suppressor TENS. No pain reductions were found in the 2 Hz, 250 msec TENS or the control. No significant alteration in myofascial trigger point sensitivity, assessed with the pressure algometer, was found between the groups. The results suggest that high frequency, high intensity TENS is effective in reducing myofascial pain, and that these pain reductions do not reflect changes in local trigger point sensitivity.